'I learned more about Emily Maitlis's wardrobe than Facebook': Outraged viewers complain over BBC star's numerous costume changes during documentary

By John Stevens


BBC documentary 'Mark Zuckerberg: Inside Facebook' has copped a backlash with viewers claiming it was more about Emily Maitlis' wardrobe than the social networking giant


It was supposed to be a documentary about the rise of Facebook.
But, to outraged BBC viewers, it seemed more like an examination of the outfits of glamorous presenter Emily Maitlis.

Viewers took to online forums and social networking sites in droves to express bewilderment at Miss Maitlis’ numerous costume changes during the TV profile of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.


Angry bloggers complained that moody walking shots of Miss Maitlis showcasing her designer wardrobe detracted from the Money Programme documentary, broadcast on BBC Two.

The show - Mark Zuckerberg: Inside Facebook – promised to chart the incredible growth of the social networking site.

However, many viewers appeared to have found it hard to concentrate on the show as several lingering shots showed Miss Maitlis striding through the sunny streets of California and Facebook’s headquarters.

The 41-year-old was pictured in a number of different outfits including posing by the pool in the garden of a house once rented by Mr Zuckerberg in a tiny pink vest.


One viewer thought the documentary was about Ms Maitlis 'wandering about looking hot and occasionally stopping to chat to folk'

Quick change: The 41-year-old presenter swaps from wearing a black blazer to a Chanel sweater (right)


Through much of the programme she was filmed walking between interviews with her thumbs in her pockets, wearing large black sunglasses and tight-fitting jeans.

She also wore a Chanel sweater with a picture of a perfume bottle with ‘Love Potion’ written on it, which stars including singers Beyonce and Taylor Swift have previously been photographed wearing.

Before the programme was shown on Sunday night Miss Maitlis posted a picture of herself with Mr Zuckerberg on Twitter with the comment, ‘Lord I am SHAMELESSSSSS’.

The documentary led to a flurry of comments on online message boards and Twitter where viewers expressed their astonishment at Miss Maitlis’ ‘swaggering’ style and the apparently ‘fawning’ manner in which she interviewed Mr Zuckerberg.

‘Think I learned more about Emily Maitlis’ wardrobe than about fb or Zuckerberg,’ one poster wrote on Twitter.

Next ensemble: Before the programme aired, Miss Maitliss posted a photo of herself and Mr Zuckerberg on Twitter and said: 'Lord I am SHAMELESSSSSS'


Another wrote: ‘I thought it was a docu about Emily Maitlis wandering about looking hot and occasionally stopping to chat to folk.’

While another viewer posted: ‘Did you catch the Facebook prog on BBC2 last night? More shots of Emily Maitlis in sunglasses than interview time with Mark Zuckerberg.’

Elsewhere, bloggers criticised the BBC for giving too much airtime to Facebook.

One viewer wrote: ‘I thought BBC didn’t do advertisements? I’ve just watched an hour-long advert for Facebook on BBC TWO!’

A BBC spokesman last night insisted that the programme had not breached guidelines. The Corporation has received four official complaints about the documentary, but none have been out Miss Maitlis’ wardrobe.

The spokesman said: ‘Mark Zuckerberg: Inside Facebook adhered to BBC guidelines and was an editorially justified business documentary.


Bloggers also criticised the documentary as being an advertisement for Facebook. The BBC refutes this


'The programme featured a range of views from several well-qualified critics of Facebook and challenged Facebook about its policies in some areas.’

The BBC declined to comment on accusations that the programme focused too much on Miss Maitlis’ wardrobe with a spokesman saying that it was a serious business documentary and Miss Maitlis is a news presenter, so her wardrobe was ‘irrelevant’.

It is the second time in weeks that viewers have raised concerns about the BBC focussing too heavily on the appearance of their presenters.

Fiona Bruce was at the centre of a Twitter storm after programme makers were accused of including lingering shots of her bottom in her documentary, Da Vinci: The Lost Treasure.


source:dailymail